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CHILLICOTHE – The Chivaho Credit Union at the Chillicothe VA plans to open a branch on Bridge Street later this summer in a move that is designed to be more accessible to customers in the area.

The new credit union, at 190 N. Bridge St., is already starting to take shape as crews continue renovation efforts at the site, which is expected to be completed by late summer, said Laura Roberts, CEO of Chivaho Credit Union. Roberts said the project will bring services closer to the credit union’s members while growing its membership base.

Under the credit union’s community charter, anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Ross County is able to access its financial services, Roberts said. The Chivaho Credit Union is celebrating its 67th year and started with seven members but now has about 2,500 members.

The project had been developed in 2008, but the economic downturn led officials to put it on hold until economic conditions improved and has been actively in the works for 18 months, Roberts said.

“We have a vision of growing in the Ross County area and welcoming new members, and our philosophy is building relationships and changing lives,” she said.

Roberts also said the upcoming credit union branch will create a number of part-time positions when it opens, though exactly how many remains yet to be determined.

Roberts added that she is excited about the growth potential as a result of the new branch opening up and noted that all of the services the credit union provides at the VA will be duplicated at the new site.

“We’d like to invite the rest of Ross County and be a part of our organization,” she said. “We would like to encourage the citizens of Chillicothe and the Ross County area to take advantage of the great things we offer. We offer financial education for our members free of charge ... and we have had classes on home-buying, understanding your credit report, things like that, and we feel that’s important to convey to help our members with because it can change their lives.”